Digital computing



P 1961 s. S. GUTERMAN 3,002,183

DIGITAL COMPUTING Filed Dec. 15, 1954 INPU T 0 aurpu-r OUTPUT aurpurau-rpur INVENTOR SA D/A SYDNEY GuTERMA/v ATTORNEY nite States Thisinvention relates to computing, and particularly to the use of magneticor electric field-sustaining elements in the handling of computations oranalogous information in code pattern as, for example, a binary codeutilizing two contrasting digits adapted for representation in the formof two contrasting magnetic or electric field conditions brought aboutalternately in each of said elements by application of code-controlledpulse energy thereto.

The invention is characterized by the application, to one or morefield-sustaining elements of the character indicated, of circuitryoperable to cause a single one of such elements to deliver signal energyin selective manner to a designated one of two outlet points so thatsaid single field-sustaining element becomes, in effect, a nuclear pointfrom which signal energy may flow selectively to two ultization points,each of equal and coordinate accessibility and therefore individuallyavailable for receipt of a given transmitted signal to the exclusion ofthe other utilization point, according to the selection impressed uponthe transmitting element constituting said nuclear point.

The invention is herein illustrated and described in several forms itmay assume, each of which forms incorporates a plurality of toroidalcores, each being of material having high magnetic retentivity, and eachhaving the potentiality for relatively slow variation of magnetic fluxintensity from a maximum in one polar direction to a maximum in theopposite polar direction, in response to application of correspondinglylow flux-shifting energy to conductors wound upon said cores. It is tobe understood, however, that the invention may be embodied in otherforms differing from those herein disclosed, but based upon the samecontrolling principles.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of components and electrical connectionsconstituting an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment; and

FIG. 3 shows a flow pattern diflfering from those of FIGS. 1 and 2.

Referring first to FIG. 1, the embodiment, there illustrated, includes arectangular two-dimension pattern of magnetic cores A to J of toroidalform and of ferromagnetic composition providing a rectangular ornearrectangular hysteresis loop characteristic facilitating the drivingof each core to a condition of saturation in one polar direction or theother, as driving shif current is applied to one or the other of the xand y shift windings, which windings are connected in separate circuits(not shown) including separate driver elements normally innon-conducting states, but individually tiriggerable to cause deliveryof an x or y shift pulse, according to whether it is desired to advancethe coded information along vertical rows (such as row ACF) of thetwodimension register, or along horizontal rows of the register, such asrow A-B-D.

In addition to the shift windings x and y, each core has input windingsi and i and a single output winding 2. The windings i and i on therespective cores serve as input whereby signals may be applied to thecores by means of signal energy delivered to a selected one of saidwindings, i or i as the case may be. Delivery of such signal energy to agiven core, by way of either of said input windings, will operate toreverse the flux-saturation condition preexisting in said core, thuswriting in Patented Sept. 26, 1961 to said core a new digital value. outof such value will be by way of the output winding z, now to bedescribed.

The output wind-ing z of any given core has connection with the inputwinding i of the horizontally adjacent core, and also with the inputwinding i of the vertically adjacent core, but in said connections thereare interposed delay networks N and N respectively, preceded by diodes Dand D respectively, the former diode being receptive to E.M.F. ofpositive polarity only, whereas the latter is relatively impervious topositive but receptive to negative Both the D and D sets of diodes areconstructed and composed in such a manner as to have maximum resistivitywhen the application is of low magnitude, and to carry out the purposesof the invention the delay networks N and N (as well as associatedcomponents of the register) are so designed that the energy transferfrom core to core occurs at relatively slow speed. Because of thisrelatively slow rate of signal energy transfer, the core flux-reversingprocess is correspondingly protracted; hence development in theintercore circuitry is of a low order, so that current values throughthe diodes remain at a minimum level that is too insignificant to be asignal transferring factor or a circuit loading factor.

Let it now be supposed that core A is flux-saturated in the polardirection corresponding to the code value of l, and let it further besupposed that a shift pulse is applied to the x winding of core A. Thepositive E.M.F. developed on output winding z of core A will be high, asthe shift pulse is relatively strong. The output current will flowthrugh diode D and network N arriving (after the prescribed delay periodinherent in the design of N at the input winding i of core C, where itbecomes eflfective (over a protracted time interval, as above noted) toreverse the flux-saturation polarity of core C from the 0 state to the 1state. Thus the code value 1 is shifted horizontally from core A to coreC of the register under the control of the horizontally acting shiftpulse P The described flux reversal in core C operates to develop anegative in output winding z of core C. Because of this a current canpass through diode D linking cores C and E. However, the accompanyingE.M.F .is very small; hence such current fiow is too small in magnitudeto present any appreciable loading factor to interfere with the properfunctioning of core C, nor will it be in any respect capable of alteringthe flux status of the core E. In other words, the code signal transferwill be from core A to core C only (under the hypothesis assumed) andneither core E nor any other core of the two-dimensional register willbe aifected. In analogous fashion the coded signal could have beenshifted vertically from core A to core B if shift pulse P rather thanpulse P had been applied.

It is to be understood that the two dimensions of the register may beincreased to include more stages, as desired, both vertically andhorizontally. Also, all shift pulses P to the horizontalshift-controlling windings x are preferably applied simultaneously bywiring all of the windings x in series relation to a suitable potentialsource at one terminal of the x shift line, whose other terminal wouldbe constituted by a suitable driver element, such as a pentode tube,facilitating control of the timing and duration of each shift pulse, inconventional manner. The shift line may likewise include all windings inseries relation, and a similar driver permitting P pulse application attime period-s other than those marked by P pulse application, and inaccordance with whether vertical propagation of the coded data, ratherthan horizontal propagation, is desired.

The FIG. 2 embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 1 except that the iand i windings of each core are con- The subsequent readsolidated into asingle i winding for each core, which single winding may receive inputsignals of opposite polarities on diiferent occasions, to produceopposite flux saturation conditions for flux reversal in the associatedcores, as requirements dictate. In allother respects the mode ofoperation is the same, and'the corresponding parts are correspondinglydesignated in' both views.

In refering to vertical and horizontal operation, it is intended toembrace any combination of diverging data transfer paths by means ofwhich information may be moved along the register to two selected outputpoints in predetermined fashion, and irrespective of the physical degreeof divergence of one path in relation to the other. FIG. 3 illustrates anumber of paths diverging at various physical angles.

This invention is not limited to the particular details of construction,materials and processes described, as many equivalents will suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art. It is accordingly desired thatthe appended claims be given a broad interpretation commensurate withthe scope of the invention within the art.

What is claimed is:

1. A system comprising a plurality of magnetic flux sustaining elements,first and second windings on each of said elements, diverging meansincluding a delay network in circuit with said second winding forfeeding signals from the second winding of any one of said elements tothe first winding of each of two other elements, and means includingthird and fourth oppositely poled windings on said elements foractivating a selected one of said two diverging means, said divergingmeans including unidirectional impedance means of opposite polarities incircuit with said delay network.

2. A system comprising a plurality of magnetic fluxsustaining elements,first and second windings on each of said elements, diverging meansincluding a delay network in circuit with said second winding forfeeding signals from the second winding of any one of said elements tothe first winding of each of two other elements to reverse the polarityof flux saturation thereof, means for activating a selected one of saidtwo diverging means, said activating means comprising additionaloppositely poled windings on said elements, and means for energizingsaid additional windings in a selected polar direction.

3. A system comprising a plurality of magnetic fluxsustaining elements,first and second windings on each of said elements, diverging means forfeeding signals from the second winding of any one of said elements tothe first winding of each of two other elements, said diverging meansincluding a delay network in circuit with said'secnd winding, means foractivating a selected one of said two diverging means, said activatingmeans comprising additional oppositely poled windings on said elements,and means for sending pulse energy of a selected polarity into saidadditional windings.

4. A system comprising a plurality of magnetic fluxsustaining elements,first and second windings on each ofsaid elements, diverging means forfeeding signals from the second winding of any one of said elements tothe first winding of each of'two other elements, said diverging meansincluding a delay network in circuit with said second winding, means foractivating a selected one of said two diverging means, said activatingmeans comprising third and fourth oppositely .pdle'd windings on saidelements, means -for sending pulse energy "for-one polarity into saidthird winding, and means for sending pulse energy of the oppositepolarity intosaid fourth winding.

5. A system comprising a plurality of magnetic fluxsustaining elements,diverging means including a delay network and unidirectional currentmeans of opposite polarity for feeding signals from any one of saidelements to two other of said elements, means for activating a selectedone of said diverging means, said activating means comprising electricpulse enengy-receiving means including oppositely poled windings on saidelements for driving the field of said elements to saturation in aselected polar direction, and thereby generating an'E.M.F. for operationof the selected signal-feeding means.

6. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said unidirectionalimpedance'rneans has maximum resistivity when the applied thereto is oflow magnitude, said delay network facilitating selective maintenance ofsaid at said low magnitude.

7. 'A system comprising a plurality of magnetic fiuxsustaining elements,input and output windings on each of said elements, diverging means forfeeding signals from the output Winding of any one of said elements tothe input winding of two other of said elements, said diverging meansincluding a delay network in circuit with said output winding, and meansincluding third and fourth oppositely poledwindings on each of saidelements for activating a selected one of said two diverging means, saiddiverging meansincluding unidirectional impedance means of oppositepolarities'in circuit with said delay network.

References Cited in the'file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,652,501 Wilson 'Sept. 15, 1953 2,673,337 Avery 'Mar. 23, 19542,708,722 An Wang 'May 17, 1955 2,709,798 Steagail May '31, 19552,720,597 'Stuart Williams Oct. 11, 1955 2,886,799 Crooks May 12, 1959OTHER REFERENCES Thesis by M. K. Haynes, pp. 46-50, 57-58, Dec. 28,1950.

Thesis by R. C. Minnick on The Use of Magnetic Cores as SwitchingDevices, Harvard Progress Report No. BL-3, September 1953, pp. 5-14through 5-17.

NBS Report No. 2940, The Diode-Capacitor Memory, by A. W. Holt, November1953,,pp. 1-6 and three additional sheets containing FIGS. 1-3.

